Guide:

• What happens during buccal fat removal?
• Where are buccal fat pad removal scars?
• How much does buccal fat removal cost in NYC?
• What factors determine the cost of buccal fat removal?
• Is buccal fat removal covered by insurance?
• Am I a candidate for buccal fat removal?

As much as fuller cheeks are associated with youth, there is an unspoken line for some people in which plumper cheeks stray from promoting a youthful appearance to making them appear overweight. Some people may have plump cheeks because their genetics caused them to have naturally larger buccal fat pads.

Society’s views on attractiveness are ever-changing, but prominent cheekbones with a visible contour are usually associated with beauty. Using makeup to highlight cheekbones and create a more defined look has become a booming trend within the last decade.

If your confidence is interrupted by the fullness of your cheeks and you are tired of using makeup to make your face appear more contoured, you may be a candidate for buccal fat removal. Buccal fat pads are described by Cleveland Clinic as the fat pockets between your cheekbones and jaw bones that make up the shape of your face.

What happens during buccal fat removal?

During buccal fat removal, medically termed buccal lipectomy, Dr. Kaplan removes excess fat from the cheeks to highlight patients’ natural contours and make their cheekbones appear higher. He places a small incision in your mouth in the cheek area of each side of your face, gently presses on your buccal fat pads, and removes them. He then sutures the incisions closed.

Where are buccal fat pad removal scars?

Since the incisions are placed entirely on the inside of your mouth, scars after buccal fat removal are completely invisible. Many patient reviews of RealSelf share that this quick, straightforward face slimming procedure got rid of their “chubby cheeks” and highlighted their cheek bones.

How much does buccal fat removal cost in NYC?

The average cost of buccal fat removal in New York ranges between $4,000 and $8,000. There may be fluctuations outside of this if a patient’s condition is more complex and difficult to correct.

What factors determine the cost of buccal fat removal?

Beyond New York, buccal fat removal costs range far and wide, and many factors determine the differences in this face-slimming procedure. These factors include:

Outpatient vs. Inpatient Care

In most cases, when you get a cosmetic procedure, it will be done under outpatient care, meaning you do not need to stay in the hospital. However, if your surgery is more advanced or you prefer to have it under inpatient care at the hospital, where you spend at least one night, the cost will be significantly higher than that of outpatient care.

When it comes to buccal fat removal, inpatient care is unnecessary, so your procedure will usually be performed on an outpatient basis.

Complexity

Buccal fat removal is a regular, quick, straightforward procedure that a talented surgeon with skilled hands, such as Dr. Kaplan, can perform without difficulty.

However, as with any surgical procedure, there are some instances where the area of concern is harder to reach, making surgery more difficult than in most cases. Buccal fat pads come in different shapes and sizes, so some patients may have areas that are harder to target and remove than others.

Surgeon’s Experience

The surgeon’s experience is a huge determining factor in the cost of your buccal fat removal. A more experienced surgeon’s services will cost more than someone with fewer years of experience because their services are in higher demand, and their wealth of experience promotes ideal results. Choosing a less experienced surgeon because their prices are lower is not recommended.

Although cheaper initially, if you do not achieve the results you are looking for and a revision becomes necessary, you will end up paying just as much or more than you would if you had gone to an experienced surgeon.

Geographic Location

New York is a highly populated city with a booming business in every industry, where beauty trends are followed routinely by many people who pride themselves on elegance. Unfortunately, everything in New York would be more expensive than in a small city in the midwest, for example.

The location you live in or plan to have your procedure can significantly impact the cost of your buccal fat removal. However, surgeons in larger cities are usually more experienced as cosmetic procedures are in higher demand.

Anesthesia Type

Using local or general anesthesia plays a role in the overall cost of buccal fat removal. General anesthesia is more expensive than local. Under local anesthesia, you remain conscious as the targeted area, which would be your face in the case of buccal fat removal, is numbed on its own.

Under general anesthesia, you are completely unconscious during your procedure. It is rare for someone to go under general anesthesia for buccal fat removal. It is common practice for Dr. Kaplan to perform buccal fat removal under local anesthesia.

Is buccal fat removal covered by insurance?

The size of your buccal fat pads does not affect your health, so there is no medical reason to remove them. As face slimming surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by insurance.

Am I a candidate for buccal fat removal?

The main determining factor of whether or not you are a good fit for buccal fat removal is whether your cheeks are plump enough for buccal fat pad removal without giving your face a sunken appearance. If Dr. Kaplan determines that removing your buccal fat pads will hollow out your face and make you appear more mature than you are, he will not recommend the procedure.

Other factors determining your candidacy for face fat removal include:

• You want to correct the appearance of your plump cheeks
• You are at a stable and healthy weight
• Your buccal fat pads are large enough for this procedure to leave healthy, youthful-looking results
• You have realistic expectations
• You do not smoke

If you feel that buccal fat removal may be a step toward newfound confidence, contact The Kaplan Center today to schedule a consultation and determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.